Interview! with plus61blog

Here is an interview Nirrimi did with plus61blog! Check out the link for the full format, including pictures.

Nirrimi Hakanson is the most richly talented young photographer we’ve seen so far. At 16-years of age she’s already dishing out serious competition to the older guard when it comes to shooting outside of a commercial brief. The fact that she has honed her skills in Townsville QLD (1300km from Brisbane) makes her photography all the more remarkable. Nirrimi’s artistic development is also an interesting case-study in the role of the internet in today’s dissemination and critique of photography. Her deviantart gallery has had over one million page views, spawning over 2000 comments. That’s some serious critical feedback.
Nirrimi recently made the move to Melbourne with her photographic and romantic partner in crime, Matt Caplin. We wish them both the best of luck.

How do Matt and yourself work as a photographic team?
It’s interesting. Some of the time I’m shooting and Matt is at my ear, watching over my shoulder and whispering ideas and direction to me. The other times I am. Most of the time we are both shooting, and while one catches all the posed planned shots, the other captures the spontaneous, real moments. Behind scenes I do most of the retouching and he does colour.

How has living in Townsville influenced your work?
Having no choice but to scout out models myself (from streets, schools, shopping centres) I’ve developed a taste in the kind of model I like photographing. Young girls, 12 maybe 13, doe-eyed with thin arms, an awkwardness about them, a realness. In discovering these quiet beauties, I decided for my personal work I will almost always use girls I’ve found myself.

5 years ago, a young photographer in a regional center would have had a hard time getting their work out to the wider world – what role has the internet, especially something like flickr, had in shaping and promoting your photography?
An incredible amount of support has come from the internet. Sometimes I can’t even believe how much. In the beginning I wasn’t shooting for myself, I was shooting for them. I was shooting what I thought they’d like. And they did, but it wasn’t completely me. I started talking to Matt when I was fourteen. He inspired me to be myself without having to try. He was my idol back then rather than my partner. I’ve grown so much since. The internet has made me, like it has made so many others. I am so thankful.

You are making your move on Melbourne. Why Melbourne?
Melbourne is a stepping stone. But I also love it. In comparison to where I am now, it’s New York.

Who most inspires your vision of beauty?
These two, young, arm-linked twins I watched pass me in the food court yesterday. Hair curly and cut bluntly with soft faces. Wonder and naivety in wide eyes. They would have been around eleven. So many strangers I see inspire my vision of beauty.

Which photographers do you find inspiring?
I admire several different fashion photographers for different reasons. Terry Richardson, for his attitude towards photography, and his guts. Julie Pike, for her softness. Tim Walker, for his colour and imagination.

You’ve mentioned that you’d like to be shooting for Vogue before you’ve reached adulthood. Any other clients in your cross-hairs?
Oh, lots. Vogue isn’t at the top of my list, but few people would recognise the names of the magazines I’d most like to be shooting for. I like obscurity. I should really remove that comment about Vogue.

What are you (and Matt) shooting on? And why?
Canon 400D. Why? Because I can’t afford the 5D mark II yet. Matt is using an Olympus. In our personal time we shoot polaroid, but you won’t be seeing our polaroids anytime soon.